Fine Dining And Misplaced People

Many if us are misplaced at the moment! Some of us should be visiting holiday homes in our favorite places, and others should be with family but are unable to travel. We usually choose this time of the year to go away as it is our quietest time of the year. There is a long bank holiday weekend that means the schools are closed and it has just become our time take a holiday. 

Some years we have gone to the UK to spend time with the family and do some festive shopping, however the last two years have seen us jet off to Florida, a place that I have grown to adore. I just love everything about it, although I am particularly fond of Cocoa and Clearwater, maybe I´m just a beach bum at heart but I love it. I also love the shopping, everything is bigger and the Malls are just a great place to pick up some holiday bargains.  
On our last visit we visited Nasa, this is because we ran out of time and funds the previous year. We did the back stage coach tour and learned all about launches, shuttles, local wildlife and a whole heap of other stuff, it was truly magical and I loved every minute.
The weather in Florida is very changeable this time of year and we found that some days we needed warm coats and other days a pair of shorts and a T shirt was adequate.
One thing I am enjoying about being here is the inclement weather we are having. It makes such a refreshing change. I love wearing my jeans and my boots and I've even got my winter coat out. OK I'll admit its not quite cold enough by the coast for a winter coat but its not often it gets an outing and I love wearing it.  

This week we were invited to try the new menu at the Wine bar and Terrace and I couldn’t have possibly predicted the treat that awaited us. The new chef Klaus is just amazing. He is from Denmark and has lived on the island for many years. Some years ago he had his own restaurant in Playa San Juan, called Creativo, a name that perfectly suits the food he creates. His eye for detail, his food and his presentation are just fabulous. The new menu although smaller than the old menu contains some very carefully selected offerings. For my starter I had Cured Salmon with coriander and Sweet Chilli. Before this arrived we were presented with homemade bread and butter, this alone was delicious. For my main course I chose Fillet Beef in red wine sauce with Shallots, Mushrooms and Panceta. It was very tasty, and the fillet beef was cooked to perfection. Then came the dessert and although I was pretty full by now I chose the Lemon Mousse with White Chocolate. Again it was delicious. The service, as usual was spot on and if you are unsure about anything on the menu the staff will explain it to you. They can also cater for people with allergies and other dietary requirements.

I can honestly say that everything I had was just exceptional and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone that looking for a great meal.

It is completely different to what they used to serve at the Wine Bar, The previous menu was vast and it was aimed more at the British tourist, however Dodie has taken the situation we are in and made it work for her. This new menu is now aimed at the international tourist and I really hope it continues to do well.
  
We ate inside the restaurant on this particular evening as the weather was bad. but whether you choose to sit in or out, the setting and the ambiance is just perfect.

On a final note, I can't believe that December is almost upon us. I have a few things planned for the festive season but more about that in my next blog.
Whatever you are doing, keep that cheese on the cracker, look after each other and keep riding the storm.

Until next time

H x

I'm Still Here

Its been over a week since I last blogged, its been a busy old week!

This week we have decided to open the bar an extra night so we are now open 5 nights a week. We are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

When we were in lock down Eddie and I both wondered and questioned how we ever had the time to go to work, however after having so much time off and easing ourselves back in gradually we are really enjoying being back.  

Before lock down it was all work and very little play, but when Covid came along the roles reversed and we found a new work life balance. We both knew that it was temporary so we made the most of the time.

For us lock down was a lesson that life wasn't all about work work work, and it was really nice to take a step back and really appreciate some family time together.
We, along with many others suddenly had all this time on our hands, Eddie and I are not good at having nothing to do, therefore we forced ourselves into finding things to keep us busy. The YouTube Vlogs, the guitar, the Spanish and lots of other hobbies that we grew to enjoy. Baking, sewing, learning new songs etc etc.

Now that we are back at work we don´t want to let go of all these pastimes that we've grown to enjoy, so now I guess we just have to find a new work life balance.

As well as the bar and everything that goes with it, our weekly Mondays at the Wine Bar have turned in to weekly Mondays and Fridays. This is due to the restrictions, they have had to simply split the bookings over two days to accommodate everyone. We love our Mondays and Fridays and hope it continues to be well supported. 

Musically I am going through a Celine Dion phase, I've been and collected as many Celine backing tracks as I can find and I will be going through them over the coming weeks and seeing which ones I can add to my repertoire. I've always been a fan of hers and I was lucky enough to see her in concert in the late 90´s. she was absolutely amazing.

This week I've also took the plunge and had my hair cut. It was getting very long and I couldn't do anything with it so off I went to see Shane at beauty within who did a great job. I´m now sporting a shoulder length bob, much better. 

Today a friend and I did the Alcala walk. Sometimes a good 5k brisk walk can really blow out the cobwebs and do you the world of good. There is lots of building work going on along the coastal path and I´m unsure what they are doing. It looks like they are making it wider in parts and maybe putting a few benches in,I'm  along with some lighting, I look forward to watching it progress and I hope that they address the rough part just before the hotel, we wait and see.

So its been a busy old week, but a good one and once again I apologize for keeping you all waiting.

We have rain forecast for tomorrow, more so in the north of the island than down here on the south west, and there's nothing I like more than sitting in an outside cafe under an awning in the dry with a nice hot coffee while watching the rain.

Until next time stay safe and ride the storm.

H x

Going Back To My ¨Boots!

It’s getting increasingly difficult to come with ideas for new Blogs!

Its Sunday the 15^th of November, I have a chicken in the oven, my husband is prepping vegetables and my teenage son is out with his friends. I’m guessing this is probably just a normal day for most people. For us, this is a usual Sunday.
I might’ve lived in Spain for nearly twenty years and I love Spanish food but there is something I can’t let go of, and that’s a Sunday roast. I love it, and even in the summer when it is boiling hot, we usually have a roast dinner on Sunday. 

It’s been a funny old week; and yet again the rules have changed. Our opening times have been reduced and also our capacity. We can have 50 percent on the terrace but only 30 percent inside. Many bars that had just reopened after lock down have simply had to close their doors again as it just isn’t feasible to be open.

Our locals have been brilliant through all of this, however there are still one or two that think they are exempt from mask wearing, and I sometimes still feel like I am on repeat.
“Where’s your mask?”
“Put your mask on”
“It’s the law”
“It’s not my rules, its Spanish law” and so on and so on.

I also find myself doing funny hand signals if I’m behind the bar and can’t get to folk. It is what it is and all we can do is keep following the “New Normal” 

We also keep washing our hands constantly and up until last night I’d forgotten how much hand wash stings when you have the tiniest of cuts on your finger. Lemon juice has the same effect!

 It’s been fairly steady in the bar this week. I got to play my Guitar and do some singing. I’ve always been a singer but I’ve only been playing guitar for a couple of years, I don’t claim to be brilliant, and I don’t think I’m going to be fighting Eric Clapton for gigs any time soon, but it gives me lots of pleasure and I really enjoy playing.
I’ve taught myself, mainly from lots of You Tube videos, and a few guitarists that have been in the bar and given me some tips and pointers. I also got to wear my new Doc Martin Boots, I bought them in the sale just before we got locked down so I’ve been unable to wear them until now. It felt like I was releasing my inner rock chick!!
There have been lots of Scottish people around this week too. I guess they are the ones with fewer restrictions than England. For how long this will last is anyone’s guess.

We are currently being bombarded with questions about the tests that tourists have to take before entering Spain. It seems that people entering Spain (and the Canary Islands) will have to take test before being granted entry. Only if it’s within 72 hours of arriving and only if you test negative will you be allowed in. The current tests are expensive. Maybe in the future someone will invent one that is cheap and quick, as well as accurate, a bit like a pregnancy test I guess.
People are asking about testing for their booked holidays in February and March etc, this is a long way off and things will probably be different again. We might all have to be stabbed in the arm with a vaccine by then, who knows???

Until next time stay safe, ride the storm and take care.

H x

Horses And Hairdressers

The news has changed yet again this week but more about that later, I thought I would share an old story with you today.

About 20 years ago when Eddie and I had just moved to Mallorca. We were just finding our way, what was what, and where things were. Our Spanish wasn't particularly good but we were trying our best and learning as we went along. 
One day we were sat in a bar in Alcudia Port, my parents were visiting and Eddie was in desperate need of a haircut. He was starting to resemble a cave man. The waiter came across and in his best Spanish Eddie asked him if there was a mens hairdresser nearby? The waiter chuckled a little and walked away. 

Moments later, Eddie began to laugh. At first it was a gentle giggle but it soon turned in an uncontrollable belly laugh. The sort that makes your whole body shake and you are unable to speak. Because he was laughing so hard, we began to laugh too, although we had no idea what we were laughing at. Its true what they say, laughter really is contagious. Eventually he was able to stop laughing long enough to explain what had happened.

The Spanish word for Gentleman is Caballero and the Spanish word for horse is Caballo, so Eddie, in his best Spanish had just asked the waiter if he knew if there was hairdresser for horses nearby. No wonder the poor waiter was tickled.

That wasn't the end of our Spanish / English blunders. We used to design and make menus for the local bars and restaurants and one time they wanted battered Cod on the menu. We took our work in for their approval and the staff fell about laughing. It turns out that the Cod that we had put on the menu had been beaten up to within an inch of its life and not battered as in the cooking sense! One time we went in to KFC and we were asked if we wanted mice with our chicken, the young girl behind the counter mean't maize, and another time a Spanish friend of ours was also in KFC in the UK and asked for six pieces of kitchen. I guess to a foreigner the words chicken and kitchen do sound a little familiar. 

Eddies Spanish is really quite good these days and our son Jack who was born on the island speaks Spanish like a native. Its not easy to learn a second language, so for those of us that are trying, keep going and don't give up.

Back to today's news and from tomorrow, Bars and Restaurants now have to close at 11 PM. Up until tonight it was midnight and I am slightly confused as to what difference one hour will make. 

I do feel that before Covid and lock down things were maybe getting a little out of control. You could buy and consume alcohol 24 hours a day if that was your desire. When I was growing up and going out with my friends, the nightclubs kicked out at 2 AM and the most we could do after that was grab a takeaway burger or a kebab, and either walk home or get a taxi. We had no need or desire to stay out until the sun came up the next morning. I do wonder if clubs will ever be allowed to stay open late ever again! Like I say, 2 AM was more than ample for us back in the day! 

Today we have been up to Santa Cruz and there are at least five cruise ships anchored just outside the port, its very sad to see. They should be carrying thousands of passengers to far away exotic places but here they are, sitting still and probably almost empty. There is one cruise ship floating around the islands, its full of German passengers. The restrictions are tight and passengers can only disembark on pre booked excursions in small groups. Its not ideal but I guess its a step in the right direction.

We found ourselves in the city center and it was quiet and many places looked closed up, never to reopen again. It was quite a sad sight and I wonder how and when we will ever recover from this situation. We just have to keep going the best we can and hope that this situation comes to an end sooner rather than later. Our opening hours at the bar will change this week to reflect the new rules, we will keep you posted on our Facebook page.

Until next time, stay safe, ride the storm and keep the cheese on the cracker!

H xxx

 

Never Judge Until You've Walked In Their Shoes!

Its been a really emotional weekend, the cheese slipped a little but in a weird kind of way, a way that many of us can probably relate to especially in these strange times. 

I really didn't know whether to post this one, but having slept on it I thought I would.

So, we're on our way to work on Saturday evening and we walk through the square where we live. The local bar is open and fairly busy, as it is most days at this time. We watch the kids play, the adults chat and sip their drinks, Some of the parents just sit on the wall watching their kids play.

One man tells a child off but being a bit boisterous with some of the smaller kids.
"That kid will probably go home, tell his dad, the dad will come out and get angry with the other kids dad and so on and so on" Ed says.

Then I started thinking and found myself getting a little emotional. What if that kid has no father and this man is a father figure to him? What if his mum had a decent job before lock down and can now barely afford to put food on the table. What if some of these poor folk are simply just surviving on food from the food banks. I found myself welling up,
I know nothing about these people around us but I do feel that most of them, like all of us probably had enough issues and problems going on before lock down, let alone since Covid came along and stopped us all in our tracks! We are all a bit broken in some way.

When I was growing up, I had an Aunty, Aunty Lynn we all called her and I spent a lot of time with her when we were kids growing up.
She introduced me to Chinese food and when we bought ourselves inline roller skates years ago she was the only person we told as everyone else would've just thought we were crazy!
She never had a judgmental bone in her body and she passed this on to me. She would let anyone in to her home, feed them, listen to them, and it didn't matter what background they came from it was just the way she was. Sadly she is no longer with us but I learned a lot from her and even now I try very hard to never judge anyone. You never know what is going on in peoples lives. Its easy to put on a brave face, and those that have the most issues are usually the best at hiding them. 

I went to work a little teary eyed that night!
This virus, this weapon, what ever it is has brought so much heartache to so many people and it has affected us us all in some way. 

It is like rain, you might not necessarily get wet, but when it happens we are all affected.

We've had a great weekend in the bar, lots of returning people and a good buzz around the village. Whether or not people are allowed to travel, or whether they should be here or not,who knows?

Until next time, take care and be safe.

H x

Can It Get Anymore Complicated?

Its been a funny old week, some might say a "meh" kind of week. Not much going on but also lots happening and once again lots of confusion!

Lets start with American politics. I don't follow it personally but my husband does, to the point that the TV has practically been on 24 hours a day since Tuesday! As I write, it would seem that Biden has taken Pennsylvania and its looking like he might win the the election. Trump on the other hand seems to have thrown all his toys out of the pram and is acting like a spoilt child. To be honest I find it hard to believe that in a country as big as the USA these are the only two people that they could find to run the country.
Biden is 77 years old (I have absolutely nothing against older people and take my hat to him for being in the running), surely he should be taking it a bit easy and putting his feet up a bit by now, and Donald Trump! I've never been a fan of him, even less now going by his behavior of late. Are these the only two people that stand a chance of being the next President? The mind boggles. 

I'm confused today as England is now in a second lock down, however I've had a look at the arrivals at Tenerife south airport and there are at least 10 flights coming in from England alone. People have been told not to leave their homes let alone leave the country unless its for one of the reasons that has been pointed out by the government, yet all these flights are coming in and people tell us they are full! Once again, nothing adds up! 

We had a fairly busy weekend in the bar and at least two people asked me if Dee (our bartender) was taking time off due to Covid. Dee has had an operation on her hand and has been simply taking time off to rest and to let it heal. She hasn't had Covid although she did have to have a test as does anyone going for any kind of surgery has to. She will be back at work very soon and we look forward to having her back. It hurts when people spread rumors that aren't true and it can be so damaging for businesses that are trying their best to survive in this awful times.  

This morning we had rain! yes proper rain and although it didn't last too long it was so nice to see. Its also cooled the island down, so much so that we've have had snow on Teide. This is very early for Teide to get snow and although it was only a bit, it does make we wonder what kind of winter we will have. It has been so nice to finally get my jeans on and I've even dug my winter boots out and a couple of light weight wraps.

Until next time, stay safe, ride the storm and be kind.

I have one small favor to ask before I sign off. If you enjoy my blogs, please share them, it would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

H x